Top News:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / Sportsnet.ca:
Padres, Brandon Morrow agree to one-year deal — The San Diego Padres have agreed to terms with free agent right-hander Brandon Morrow on a one-year deal, an industry source told Sportsnet. — Morrow will earn a base salary of $2.5 million plus incentives, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com, who first reported the deal.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, Gaslamp Ball and Hot Stove
RELATED:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Padres, Mariners, Giants, Royals have shown interest in slugging outfielder — Major trades ahead for Braves? — Mark Bowman discusses the likelihood that Atlanta could deal a star player such as Justin Upton or Evan Gattis — SAN DIEGO — Though some anxious fans might have been disappointed …
Discussion:
Royals Review, OutsidePitchMLB LLC, McCovey Chronicles and ESPN
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Padres eyeing another megadeal . . . but is that enough?
Padres eyeing another megadeal . . . but is that enough?
Discussion:
Camden Chat, FanGraphs Baseball, Gaslamp Ball, ESPN and HardballTalk
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
State-of-the-art exhibit at Miller Park will pay tribute to retiring Commissioner — Brewers COO Rick Schlesinger and Bud Selig discuss plans to honor the retiring Commissioner with a special fan experience at Miller Park — MILWAUKEE — Allan H. “Bud” Selig was going to be a history professor …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
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NY Daily News:
Yankees and Alex Rodriguez set for more drama after Chase Headley signing — According to a person who has spoken to him ‘several times’ in recent months, A-Rod is determined to reclaim his old position in the infield and wants no part of being a full-time DH.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com
RELATED:
ESPN:
Yanks sign 3B Headley to 4-year, $52M deal
Yanks sign 3B Headley to 4-year, $52M deal
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Baseball Think Factory
Chase Headley / New Jersey Online:
MLB hot stove: Chase Headley wants Yankees, Brian Cashman says
MLB hot stove: Chase Headley wants Yankees, Brian Cashman says
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Pinstripe Alley, CBSSports.com and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals To Sign Alex Rios — The Royals have agreed to a one-year, $11MM deal with outfielder Alex Rios, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports on Twitter. Rios, a Boras Corporation client, joins Kendrys Morales as veteran additions to the defending American League champs.
Discussion:
Royals Review, MLB Daily Dish, OutsidePitchMLB LLC, HardballTalk, SBNation.com, CBSSports.com and Amazin' Avenue
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Left-hander excited to be in Chicago after rave reviews from Hammel, Samardzija — Cubs president of baseball ops Theo Epstein introduces new ace Jon Lester after agreeing to a six-year deal to bring the lefty to Chicago — CHICAGO — The Cubs formally introduced Jon Lester on Monday …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins To Sign Michael Morse — 8:13am: The sides have agreed to a two-year deal, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports on Twitter. — 7:11am: The Marlins are close to a deal with free agent Michael Morse, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. Presumably, Morse would step in at first base …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, MLB Daily Dish, McCovey Chronicles, CBSSports.com, Amazin' Avenue, OutsidePitchMLB LLC and Hot Stove
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
With more free agents off the board, SF could be forced to deal pitching prospects — Giants manager Bruce Bochy checks in at the Winter Meetings to discuss the team's offseason misses while looking forward to the 2015 season — SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants might have to engineer a trade …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Tracy Ringolsby / MLB.com:
Cox led efforts toward player development en route to 14 consecutive first-place finishes — With John Schuerholz in the front office and Bobby Cox in the dugout, the Braves built a long-term success story. (AP) — When “Moneyball” was published, the “in” thing among Major League teams …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Sign Jed Lowrie To Three-Year Deal — The Astros announced that they have signed infielder Jed Lowrie to a three-year contract that runs through the 2018 season. Lowrie's contract reportedly guarantee him $23MM: $8MM in 2015, $7.5MM in 2016 and $6.5MM in 2017 with a $6MM club option ($1MM buyout) for 2018.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Lone Star Ball, Baseball Hot Corner, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Daily Dish and Metsblog
RELATED:
Andrew Simon / MLB.com:
Souza, Taylor, Barrett, Treinen got a taste of Majors in 2014, set to take next step — 9/26/14: Steven Souza Jr. blasts a solo home run to deep left-center off Andrew Heaney to give the Nationals a 4-2 lead in the 3rd inning — Two of the Nationals' youngest players already are two of their best …
Roch Kubatko / School of Roch:
Notes on Manuel, Rios, Lavarnway, Palmer and Hudak — The Orioles are still targeting Charlie Manuel in their search for a new hitting coach, according to sources, and they should know later this week whether he's willing to fill the position. — The Phillies would need to give their permission …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and The Good Phight
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
The Astros and unsigned draftee Jacob Nix have quietly and confidentially come to a monetary settlement over the team's decision not to follow through on an agreed-upon $1.5-million deal that was negotiated but never signed following last June's first-year player draft.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors